Thursday, February 18, 2016

In Mark 11: 25-26, we read: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

She sat with head bowed, shoulders slumped, her hands folded in her lap. She looked up at the pastor, eyes swimming with tears. “I can never be forgiven.”

“Why?” The pastor asked softly. “Have you forgiven the person?”

“I thought I had,” she said. “But I can’t forget what she did.”

The pastor nodded, a look of understanding flashed across his face. Help me, Lord, to show her your forgiveness.
“Miss Sadie, did you give gifts to loved ones last Christmas?”

“Of course,” she said, head tilted, slash lines forming between her eyes.

“Do you remember what you gave to each one?”

She nodded. “But I don’t understand what that...”

“Let me see if I have this straight. You’re concerned that you haven’t forgiven your friend?” She nodded. “The reason you believe this is because you can’t forget the incident?” Another nod.

“One has nothing to do with the other. In God’s Word, He tells us to ask for forgiveness, from the one we’ve wronged and the Lord Jesus. He takes care of the rest. He knows that our hearts will be corroded by unforgiveness--it’s like poison that will spread and consume us.”

“But aren’t we supposed to forgive and forget?” she asked, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

He shook his head. “Just forgive. Forgiveness is a gift that only you can give this person. Let the Lord Jesus handle it. He’s quite capable, you know. That’s His gift to you.”

Kingdom Thinking. I am forgiven because of the accomplished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross at Calvary. Now I can forgive others because of this wonderful gift that He has given me. Not to forget but to extend the gift to others. He has promised never to leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He offers you the same. Won’t you come to Him?